Ep 87 – Essential Website Strategy Insights with Brent Feldman

Many community banks don’t hesitate to invest hundreds of thousands, or even millions, in a new brick and mortar branch—but balk at the cost of a new website. In this episode, we dive into why that mindset needs to change—and what a modern bank website should actually do.

Brent Feldman, CEO of Matchbox Design Group, joins us to unpack what makes a website work for banks, how to shift your team's mindset, and the most common traps banks fall into when building or rebuilding their sites.

Topics we cover:

· Why your website is more important than any physical branch

· The mindset banks need before starting a web project

· Common content mistakes (and how to fix them)

· Why residential lending ≠ mortgages

· WordPress vs. core CMS platforms

· Creating a digital branch that actually reflects your brand

Brent Feldman is the CEO of Matchbox Design Group, a website and marketing company focused on banks and credit unions based in St. Louis, Missouri. Brent leads digital strategy initiatives for the organization and is also the host of the Mix & Matchbox Podcast.

Links & Resources:

· Brent Feldman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentfeldman

· Matchbox Design Group: https://www.matchboxdesigngroup.com

· Brent’s Podcast: Mix & Matchbox – featuring a banking series - https://matchboxdesigngroup.com/about/mix-matchbox-podcast-digital-marketing/

· Recommended Book: Smart Brevity by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz

Learn more:
Website: bankmarketingshow.com
Sign up for our newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com
Contact Chris and Dan: contact@bankmarketingshow.com

Financial education isn't just about blogging — it’s one of the most powerful tools a community bank can use to connect with its audience, build trust, and drive long-term growth. And, it’s one that many customers are requesting – information and education from an institution they already trust.

In this episode, Dan and Chris unpack the real “why” behind financial education and dive deep into practical ways banks can use it to boost engagement and loyalty.

We discuss:
*Why financial education works better than promotional fluff
*Real-world delivery formats: blogs, workshops, bite-size videos, and more
*How to tailor your content for local relevance (and stand out from national
competitors)
*The ROI of financial education—even when results take time

Resources mentioned:
- Bankmarketingshow.com
- For more on this topic, check out our newsletter at bankmarketingminute.com
- 90-Day Checklist – email us at contact@bankmarketingshow.com

Turning Stories Into Strategy: Humanizing Your Brand

Think you need a massive ad budget to stand out? Think again. This episode is all about how community banks can turn everyday staff and customer stories into powerful, memorable marketing—while keeping spend to a minimum. If your team’s struggling with content ideas, this is your playbook.

In this episode, Chris and Dan cover:

• Why stories beat stock photos every time
• How to encourage employees to share small, real moments
• Turning everyday experiences into community trust
• Mixing personal + professional for maximum impact
• Campaign ideas that make your bank feel more human
• How to systematize story collection for social media gold

Links & Resources:
Website: bankmarketingshow.com
Newsletter: bankmarketingminute.com
Contact: contact@bankmarketingshow.com